Vodafone to offer Apple iPhone in ten markets around the world

In a brief statement on the company’s website, Vodafone today announced it has signed an agreement with Apple to sell the iPhone in ten of its markets around the globe.

Later this year, Vodafone customers in the following countries will be able to purchase the iPhone for use on the Vodafone network:

• Australia
• Czech Republic
• Egypt
• Greece
• Italy
• India
• Portugal
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Turkey

Source: Vodafone

In addition, there are reports that, from the list above, at least Australia and Italy will have iPhones available from multiple carriers:

“After months of speculation an industry insider (who has asked to remain anonymous) has confirmed to CNET.com.au that Optus will be one of several Australian mobile service providers to be selling Apple’s iPhone, with sales and service commencing in the last week of June,” Joseph Hanlon reports for CNET.

“Optus plans to make the announcement mid-May ahead of Apple’s Worldwide Developer’s Conference on June 9 in San Francisco where Apple CEO Steve Jobs is tipped to launch the next generation of iPhone,” Hanlon reports. “While this source could not confirm a 3G version of the popular handset, they did suggest that Optus was expecting the upgraded models.”

“There remains further speculation as to which of the remaining Australian carriers will also licence the sale of the iPhone,” Hanlon reports.

Full article here.

Reuters reports, “Telecoms companies Vodafone and Telecom Italia will both sell Apple Inc’s iPhone in Italy, in an apparent break from previous exclusive carrier deals.”

“Neither Vodafone nor Telecom Italia provided many details. ‘Telecom Italia announced today it has signed a deal with Apple to bring the iPhone to Italy later this year,’ was all that the Italian group had to say on Tuesday,” Reuters reports.

Full article here.

[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “GimliNZ” and “Linux Guy And Mac Prodigal Son” for the heads up.]